diggers rest precinct structure plan - Growth Areas Authority

2 Diggers Rest Precinct Features
2.1 Heritage
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Diggers Rest Precinct Structure Plan
Background Report‐ March 2012
The traditional indigenous owners of the precinct are the Wurundjeri tribe. A standard
and desktop cultural heritage assessment has been undertaken for the area.
A number of scatter sites and individual artefacts have been identified. Concentrations of
artefacts exist in the central portion of the main drainage line and in the lots immediate
west of Vineyard Road. Sites close to the freeway interchange west of Vineyard Road
appear to have been disturbed and dispersed, possibly by agricultural activities. A
standard Cultural Heritage Management Plan will be required a part of the development of
the land.
Four sites of historical heritage significance have been identified within the PSP area. The
property at 2-188 Davis Road contains an intact farm house, constructed in approximately
1914 and representative of timer Federation style architecture. The house, picket fence,
surrounding trees and outbuildings are covered by Heritage Overlay HO47 in the Melton
Planning Scheme.
Elsewhere in the PSP area, there are remains of two farmhouses and remnants of farm
activity. All appear to be constructed in the early twentieth century and consist of ruins or
remnant features of buildings demolished several decades ago. All three of these sites are
listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
2.2 Biodiversity
The Diggers Rest Precinct is highly modified, and the majority of the precinct has been
cleared for agriculture and is dominated by exotic vegetation.
2.2.1 Flora
Remnant vegetation within the precinct comprises two Ecological Vegetation Classes
(EVCs), including Plains Grassland and Sedge Wetland. There are approximately 10.21
habitat hectares of remnant vegetation present within the precinct: 10.19 habitat hectares
of Plains Grassland, and 0.02 habitat hectares of Sedge Wetland.
There are no trees within remnant patches, or scattered trees within the Precinct.
2.2.2 Fauna
The habitat quality for significant fauna is low due to the highly modified nature of the
Precinct. No fauna species of national or state significance were recorded during
assessments. There is a low likelihood that resident Growling Grass Frog, Golden Sun Moth,
Striped Legless Lizard, Plains Wanderer and/or Brown Toadlet may occur within the
Precinct.
2.3 Topography and Landform